What 18 College Students Taught Me About Making a Difference

Spring break usually means beaches and sunshine. But eighteen college students from the University of Virginia chose something different.

They spent their week in Greensboro repairing homes for neighbors who needed help—building ramps, rebuilding decks, repairing drywall, and painting homes through their partnership with Community Housing Solutions.  By Friday night they were tired, dusty, and ready for a meal.

So we gathered in my studio for dinner. What I expected to be a simple meal turned into something far more meaningful. That evening reminded me of three powerful truths I often share with audiences when speaking about There's an ART of Making a Difference.

Three Lessons from One Remarkable Week

Service Transforms Everyone Involved
These students came to serve others. But by the end of the week, it was clear that the experience had changed them as well. When we step into someone else’s struggle, we discover a deeper sense of purpose.

Purpose Matters More Than Success
Around the dinner table the students began asking questions about my life as an artist and about the friendship that led me to create the Honor Card program nearly four decades ago.

What struck me most was their curiosity. Young people today aren’t simply chasing success—they’re searching for meaning.

Real Community Happens Through Shared Experience
Service had brought these students to Greensboro. But conversation around the dinner table turned the week into something memorable. Shared experiences create connections that last far beyond the moment.

Why This Matters

When I speak to organizations, I often remind audiences that making a difference rarely begins with a grand plan.  More often, it begins with a single step—an act of awareness, a willingness to serve, or a conversation that changes how we see the world.  Sometimes the most powerful   lessons arrive in the simplest settings.  Even around a table filled with pasta and tired college students.